Reform UK Loses Holyrood Seat, Accuses Departing Member of 'Hijacking' Party Mandate

Reform UK in Scotland is facing internal turmoil after its MSP, Amanda Bland, decided to leave the party and become an independent. The decision cost Reform one seat and dropped it to third place in Holyrood, behind the SNP and Labour. Scottish Reform leader Malcolm Offord accused Bland of "hijacking" a list seat won by his party.

Bland was elected as an MSP for the Central Scotland and West Lothians region in May. She denied speculation that her resignation was triggered by a summons to a meeting over high staff turnover in her office. In her statement, Bland stressed that her principles and priorities had not changed, and she believed she could scrutinise the Scottish government more effectively as an independent.

Offord expressed disappointment but stressed that Reform wanted people who could work in a team. He highlighted the difference between constituency seats, which confer a personal mandate, and list seats, which derive solely from party votes. According to him, Bland's position as a list MSP did not give her a personal mandate to remain for the next four and a half years.

A source in Reform said Bland's departure came amid claims that she was "difficult to work with". She was reportedly summoned last week to discuss the high staff turnover in her office, though she denied her resignation was related to it. Offord added that he had not spoken to Bland since the departure announcement.

Reform UK had previously accepted a member who defected from the Scottish Conservatives, Graham Simpson, in August 2025. However, Offord judged that situation to be different because Simpson had only eight months left before the May election, while Bland had served only a few months of a five-year term.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he did not know the exact reason for Bland's decision but said losing a member was always regrettable. Asked whether Bland should resign as an MSP, Farage replied, "I don't know the situation yet, but probably yes."

Offord also highlighted the political atmosphere in Holyrood, which he described as "toxic" and full of hostility. He claimed other parties were unsettled by Reform's presence, especially after the party proposed a controversial debate on banning face coverings in public spaces. "We were surprised by the amount of abuse," he said. "Some Reform people are struggling to adapt to an unfriendly environment."

Nevertheless, Offord stressed that Reform's drop to third place was only "an annoyance" and would not derail the party's goals. He emphasised the importance of building a solid and competent team. Going forward, Reform UK's internal stability in Scotland will be tested, especially ahead of the next election. Can the party maintain cohesion amid mounting political pressure?